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Euros for Europe .. get here or there?
Posted on 6/30/26 at 8:39 pm
Posted on 6/30/26 at 8:39 pm
Old posts vary on thoughts so I figured it can’t hurt to ask again.
Many posts said to use your debit card THERE if there are no fees. I will call my bank tomorrow re: transaction fees for using debit card there but I’m willing to bet there will be as it’s a small local bank.
I have 2 credit cards that have no foreign transactions fees on purchases so I’ll be using those .. I’ll call them as well to see if this applies to cash advances but I’m assuming it will.
Is it better to pay the fee and get them there or to get euros here? I just want the best exchange rate.
And yes we will use cc for what we can .. but will need some for bathrooms (if it’s not a shop or restaurant), water, small shops.
Will be in Paris, Rome, Sorrento.
16
Posted on 6/30/26 at 8:59 pm to tiger91
It is a good idea to have some for when you arrive. Does any of your friends have some that you can buy/borrow? If not, have your bank order 100EURO worth in assorted bills.
Do not ever use an ATM that is not a bank ATM.
Also, always opt for your CC to do the conversion, not the establishment. Pay in EUROs.
Posted on 6/30/26 at 8:59 pm to tiger91
If you need Euro's when you get there, use the ATM's with your debit or ATM card. The best exchange rate are on the ATM machines. Of course, you may pay an ATM fee (depending upon your bank). Always use credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees. That is the best market exchange rate. Avoid airport exchange booths. Worst exchange rates. You can probably get by with 200 Euro's or less in your wallet.
Posted on 6/30/26 at 9:29 pm to tiger91
There. Although I like to take a little bit with me.
You can get some at the atm machine at the airport.
Just make sure you use a machine from a major bank and not some fly by night currency exchange.
You can get some at the atm machine at the airport.
Just make sure you use a machine from a major bank and not some fly by night currency exchange.
Posted on 6/30/26 at 9:50 pm to 2 Jugs
A friend just got back but brought home no euros.
She suggested just to grab at the DFW airport on our way out if my bank can’t get them in time.
She suggested just to grab at the DFW airport on our way out if my bank can’t get them in time.
Posted on 6/30/26 at 9:50 pm to tiger91
Get them at a bank's ATM there. Not an ATM at the airport in a shady store, but at a real bank.
Another tip - if you plan to return to Europe in the future, get extra and bring it back with you so you already have it hand the next time you go.
Another tip - if you plan to return to Europe in the future, get extra and bring it back with you so you already have it hand the next time you go.
Posted on 6/30/26 at 10:32 pm to tiger91
quote:As someone said - you won't need much cash at all, don't sweat it. Let's say you get completely screwed on $200 cash...what's that going to be? You pay $6 in fees/rates instead of $2?
Euros for Europe .. get here or there?
Try to bring some with you if you have some. If not, just get some at an ATM soon after arriving and never think about it again. It's your vacation after all!
Posted on 6/30/26 at 10:53 pm to tiger91
Like others said very at bank atm. You really don't need much until you get to bank. Maybe €100or 2 for cabs and first day. Credit cards are taken almost everywhere.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 3:30 am to tiger91
What everyone else has said. I'm in Europe now and had Euros from last time I was here but have only had to have cash at a dive bar and 1 restaurant that clearly stated they were cash only. As for CC, I have had issues in the past needing a pin # so now just have my CC in my Google wallet and it works great. Finally, some terminals will ask if you want to pay is USD or Euro, always choose euro since the merchant sets the exchange rate for $ which will not be a good rate for you.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 5:54 am to tiger91
Bring some EUROs home with you for next time.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 6:05 am to tiger91
I got some from my bank before leaving and asked for small bills (so I had something to tip drivers with).
Posted on 7/1/26 at 6:13 am to tiger91
Bringing euros with you is a total boomer move. Just get them when you get there from a million ATMs. Decline the conversion
Posted on 7/1/26 at 6:42 am to tiger91
You probably don’t need euros, but don’t get them anywhere near the airports. Exchange rate is terrible there.
And last year when we were in Europe very few places took Amex, so be sure your credit card is Mastercard or Visa.
And last year when we were in Europe very few places took Amex, so be sure your credit card is Mastercard or Visa.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 8:32 am to tiger91
Just stay away from the shady ATMs like Euronet. Those things are everywhere these days.
We took out more Euros than usual this time because we were on Greek islands most of the trip, and even there nearly everyone took tap to pay. There will be the occasional exception but you really don’t need much cash.
We took out more Euros than usual this time because we were on Greek islands most of the trip, and even there nearly everyone took tap to pay. There will be the occasional exception but you really don’t need much cash.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 8:53 am to tiger91
Its nothing to stress about to get it ahead of time. Its generally worse conversion rate to do it in the US as opposed to waiting for an airport ATM.
I will say 2 or 3 trips ago the airport ATM's were super busy and the train only took Euros, I can't remember the specific reason. So I had wished I had 50 euros before landing. But that was a minor and rare issue.
I do agree just talk to friends and see if you can buy any euros they have, a lot of people that travel will have 20-30 euros leftover they are happy to exchange 1-1 with $$$.
I will say 2 or 3 trips ago the airport ATM's were super busy and the train only took Euros, I can't remember the specific reason. So I had wished I had 50 euros before landing. But that was a minor and rare issue.
I do agree just talk to friends and see if you can buy any euros they have, a lot of people that travel will have 20-30 euros leftover they are happy to exchange 1-1 with $$$.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 8:55 am to tiger91
There has been an ATM (bank owned) right outside customs in every airport I've landed at around the world, except maybe Roatan.
Do you think any of these shopkeepers want to waste time making change for you? They'd prefer you tap your card and get out. Euro are for bathrooms and immigrants selling selfie sticks outside the colosseum, and not much else, unless you're trying to bribe a migrant to get out of Trevi fountain so you can take a picture.
quote:
water, small shops.
Do you think any of these shopkeepers want to waste time making change for you? They'd prefer you tap your card and get out. Euro are for bathrooms and immigrants selling selfie sticks outside the colosseum, and not much else, unless you're trying to bribe a migrant to get out of Trevi fountain so you can take a picture.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 9:35 am to tiger91
Can't remember the last time I physically touched a Euro note 
I wouldn't stress much about it beforehand.
I wouldn't stress much about it beforehand.This post was edited on 7/1/26 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 7/1/26 at 10:13 am to tiger91
I go to Europe 2-3 times a year (Netherlands and England).
I thought I would need cash, I got £100 and €100 3 years ago. I still have most of it left.
Public restrooms require coins. Everything else is CC. I wouldn't overthink it. You can get cash from your local bank before you go. That is the easiest.
I thought I would need cash, I got £100 and €100 3 years ago. I still have most of it left.
Public restrooms require coins. Everything else is CC. I wouldn't overthink it. You can get cash from your local bank before you go. That is the easiest.
Posted on 7/1/26 at 1:26 pm to tiger91
I've always followed advice to stick to bank ATMs, but that is not easy in many European hike-for-miles airports. Recently at Frankfurt transferring from international arrivals to regional departures, I found only 1 bank ATM and it was empty. I ended up getting a bad rate at a cash-only exchange stand. It was enough cash to pay for taxi at destination, then I hit the banks.
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